Boat and means for operating the same



July 19, 1932. E. EASTHOPE 1,868,054

BOAT AND MEANS FOR OPERATING SAME Filed Dec. 3, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY y 19, 1932. E. EASTHOPE 1,868,054

BOAT AND MEANS FOR OPERATING THE SAME Filed Dec. 3, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z1----ET g 215 VE%L 5 9 k\\-\\ Q 16 VA/7 A INVENTOR ATTORNEY July 19, 1932. EASTHQPE 1,868,054

BOAT AND MEANS FOR OPERATING THE SAME Filed Dec. 3, 1930 3 SheetS Sheet 3 INVENTOR ATTORNEY 125i fasffiapeiatented July 19, 1932 PATENT OFFICE ERNEST EASTHOPE, OF EVERETT, WASHIN GTON- BOAT AND MEANS FOR OPERATING THE SAME Application filed December 3, 1930. Serial No. 499,774.

My invention relates to the art of water navigation and it'particularly has reference to boats of the type known as hydroplanes or aqua-planes. Itparticularly has for an object the provision of a hull of such construction and design and having a hydroplane so mounted in cooperation with it and so provided with a plane operating mechanism that the power plant to s iced of plane ratio may be much reduced. t is a well known fact that in the ordinary type of displacement boat or hydroplane fitted with the usual propeller for propulsion in water that it takes enormous power 15 to brin the boat to a planing position, but after taining such planing position very little power of the engine is utilized and therefore the boat is unnecessarily loaded with surplus horse power not being used.

My invention has for an object to overcome these defects or deficiencies and to this end I rovide the hull with hinged hydroplanes ocated beneath the hull and allowed to lie flat against the same, there being means provided continuously tendin to hold the planes thereto, and I also provi e a hydraulic plunger device carried in the hull and designed to project throu h the bottom thereof into engagement with ti assume a position inclined to the hull, all being under control of the pilot.

Further, the inventon has for an object to provide such a mechanism just above alluded to, with means that will interpose a pneumatic cushioning or resistance to the upward movement of the planes with respect to the hull in order to compensate the pressure exerted against the plane by the water as the hull is bemg propelled in a position to skim over the surface of the water.

Further, it is an object to provide a hull with one or more hydroplanes hinged to the bottom thereof and shaped to lie in contact with the hull flatwise when the hull is at rest us or is being propelled to gain sufficient speed 'to enable the hydroplanes properly to function; further to'provide a suitable spring device for so holding the planes until it is desired to lift the hull from the water; further a to provide a fluid operated means under pilot e plane to force it to control for simultaneously projecting all the planes from the hull and causing them to lie at the required angle thereto, the fluid operated means also being designed to act as a pressure compensator for the planes against the pressure exerted by the water as the hull is driven forward; and further to provide a propelling means which is independent of the water, i. e. does not require immersion in water in order properly to function.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out hereinafter.

To the attainment of the aforesaid objects and ends, the invention still further resides in the novel details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all of which will be first fully described in the following detailed description, then be particular- 1y pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings', in which Figure l is a side elevation of a boat con structed according to my invention, the hydroplanes being in the raised or folded position.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of a boat with the hydroplanes in the lowered position.

Figure 3 is a cross section of a modification.

Figure 4 is a cross section on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing the first position of the planes and their projecting mechanism.

Figure 6 is a view similar 'to Figure 5 with the parts in the second position.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figures 5 and 6 with the parts in the third or running position.

In the drawings, in which like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all of the figures, 1 represents the hull which, in its general nature, may be of any approved construction and at the rear thereofis mounted a suitable framework 2 to sustain the rudder 3 and the air propelling mechanism 4. The operating mechanism 4 and the rudder are of the aerial type in order that the propulsion force may be applied to the boat 'without regard to its immersion in, or its location above, the water.

Beneath the hull 1 and at suitable places (preferably fore and aft) are hydroplanes 5, the front edges of which are hinged at 6 to the hull and these planes 5' are shaped in cross section and longitudinal section to the contour of the hull. They may be true planes or the may have more or less curva- Y tion will suflice.

Each plane 5 is provided with a spring 7 mounted on theehull and plane which continuously tends to move the plane up in position against the hull. Mounted within the hull are the plane rojectin devices (one or more for each p ane depening upon the area or width of the plane). These devices each consists of a plate 9 secured to the bottom of the hull 1 by suitable means 10, the plate 9 carrying tie belts or studs 13 which pass through a top plate 12, between which topplate and the base plate 9 there is mounted a cylinder 11, suitable packing 14 being provided in order to prevent leakage. The base plate 9 has a central aperture 15 registering with a similar hole 16 in the hull, the plane 5 overlying the hole 16 with its free end, when the plane is folded, against the hull, see Figure 5.

Mounted to slide within the cylinder 11 is a. suitable piston 17 havinga central tubu-' lar stem 18 over which telescopes a plunger 21, whose closed lower end 22 projects through the apertures 15 and 16 and engages the upper face of the plane 5. The longer 21 has a flange which is aperture to permit assage of the stud bolts 19 that are fastones to the head of the piston 17 within the skirt of the piston, the stud bolts 19 working freely through the apertures in the flange 20 so that the plunger 21 may have telescopicmovement on the stem 18 within the limits of the len h of the stud bolts 19. 23 is a coil 7 spring ocated within the stem 18 and plunger 21 continuously tending to separate these parts.

24 is a small oil duct or vent for eflecting communication between the upper chamber of the cylinder and the interior of the stem 18 and the plunger 21.

26 is an air tank supplied by a suitable ump 27 and connected with the several cyllnders 11 by means of ducts 25, there being 18 and fplunger 21 and still leave a slight layer 0 oil, above the piston 17 whenthe plunger'21 is in the extended position.

In operation, the air is ordinarily bled 08 from the cylinders 11 so that the sprin 7 ma hold the plane 6 against thehull. A r

su cient speed has been attained to enable the planes 5 properly to function, the ilot opens the valve 28 to cause air to flow rom t e reservoir 20 to the respective cylinders 11. This air under pressure forces the oil and piston 17 downwardly together with the in i ure 7, i. e., the plunger 21 is telescoped,

onto t e stem 18 and oil is slowly passed from the interior of the stem and plunger through the vent 24 into the cylinders, compressing the air further and thus acting as a compensas tor. As the speed of the boat lowers and pressure is reduced on the planes 5 the air pressure within the cylinders 11 will-again force the oil into the stem and plunger and, at a greater or lesser degree, move the plunger outwardly to compensate for the change in pressure on the plane.

The quick lowering of the planes from the first to the second position enables me to use the momentum of the boat to lift it out 'ofthe water at a lower speed than would be possible were the planes lowered slowly.

Other advantages of the invention it is thought will be clear to those skilled in the art and it is: quite evident that changes in the details of construction, design-and arrangement of parts ma be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim'is:

1. In boats, a hull, aerial propulsion means for moving said boat along, a set of aquaplanes hinged to the'bottom of said hull on.

transverse axes and designed to lie up against the bottom of the hull, fluid means carried 7 by the hull for swinging said planes down wardly to an angle to the bottom of the hull. 2. In boats, a hull, aerial propulsion means for moving said boat along, a set of aquaplanes hinged to the bottomof said hull on transverse axes and designed to lieup against the bottom of the hull, fluid means carried by the hull for swingin said planes downwardly to an angle wit the bottom of the hull, and spring means continuously tending to raise said planes into position against the hull.

' 3. In boats, a hull, aerial propulsion means pelling piston associated with each for moving said boat along, a set of aquaplanes hinged to the bottom of said hull on transverse axes and designed to lie up against the bottom of the hull, fluid means carried by the hull for swinging said planes downwardly to an angle with the bottom of the hull, and spring means continuously tending to raise said planes into position against the hull, said fluid means comprising an imlane and fluid operated means to project sai piston outwardly to incline said planes.

4. In boats, a hull, aerial propulsion means for moving said boat along, a set of aquaplanes hinged to the bottom of said hull on transverse axes and designed to lie up against the bottom of the hull, fluid means carried by the hull for swinging said planes downwardly to an angle with the bottom of the hull, said fluid means comprising an impelling piston associated with each plane and fluid operated means to project said piston outwardly to incline said planes.

5. In boats, a hull, aerial propulsion means for moving said boat along, a set of aquaplanes hinged to the bottom of said hull on transverse axes and designed to lie up against the bottom of the hull, fluid means carried by the hull for swinging said planes downwardly to an angle with the bottom of the hull, and spring means continuously tending to raise said planes into position against the hull, said fluid means comprising a combined gaseous and liquid impelling means to project said piston outwardly to incline said planes.

6. In boats, a hull, aerial propulsion means for moving said boat along, a set of aquaplanes hinged to the bottom of said hull on transverse axes and designed to lie up against the bottom of the hull, fluid means carried by the hull for swinging said planes downwardly to an angle with the bottom of the hull, and spring means continuously tend-" ing to raise said planes into position against the hull, said fluid means comprising an impelling piston associated with each plane, a combined gaseous and liquid impelling means to project said piston outwardly to incline said planes.

7 In boats, a hull, aerial propulsion means for moving said boat along, a set of aquaplanes hinged to the bottom of said hull on transverse axes and designed to lie up against the bottom of the hull, fluid means carried by the hull for swinging said planes downwardly to an angle with the bottom of the hull, and spring means continuously tending to raise said planes into position against the hull, said fluid means comprising a cylinder and piston device for each plane, liquid within the cylinders of said cylinder and piston device, an air reservoir, pipe lines from said reservoir to the cylinders, and a control means therefor.

8. In boats of the hydrolplane type, the combination with a hull, at east one hydroplane hinged beneath and to the hull and designed to lie against the bottom of the hull,

means on the hull for forcing said plane to a plunger, operating fluid within said cylinder,

said piston having a small hole eflectin communication between said cylinder an stem to permit said operating fluid slowly to pass, and means to apply a pressure within said cylinder to cause said piston and plunger to move downwardly together to the limit allowed by said cylinder, and thereafter force said plunger downwardly with respect to said stem.

9. In boats of the hydroplane type, the combination with a hull, at least one hydroplane hinged beneath and to the hull and designed to lie against the bottom of the hull, means on the hull for forcing said plane to a maximum angular position beneath the hull and establishing a pneumatic cushion to compensate for the water pressure against the plane while the boat is being propelled, said means comprising a cylinder carried b the hull, a piston within the cylinder havlng a hollow stem, a plunger fitted over said stem and arranged to have its lower end engage sa1d plane, means permitting limited telescoplc movement between said stem and plunger, operating fluid within said cylinder, said piston having a small hole efl'ectin communication between said cylinder an stem to permit said operating fluid slowly to pass, and means to apply a pressure within said cylinder to cause said piston and plunger to move downwardly together to the limit al lowed by said cylinder, and thereafter force said plunger downwardly with respect to said stem, and other means continuously tending to move said plunger and stem apart.

10. In boats, a hull having a bottom, a plurality of hydroplanes hinged to and beneath said bottom to lie flatwise against the same, means normally holding said planes against said bottom, and means for quickly acting on said planes to incline them to an angle to the bottom of the hull and interpose a pneumatic compensator between the planes and bull, said last named means comprising a combined liquid and gaseous fluid operated cylinder and plunger device.

ERNEST EASTHOPE. 

